Business Briefs for Nov. 24, 2016

Bartlett-based credit union opens Collierville branch

First South Financial Credit Union, based in Bartlett, has announced a 3,950 square-foot Collierville branch opening at 369 S. Byhalia Road. With 16 Mid-South banking center locations, First South’s continued growth has propelled the credit union to become the largest in West Tennessee based on capital.

With many of First South’s traditional banking activities now occurring online, the new full-service branch enhances member interactions with personalized customer service. The branch also features four drive-up teller stations and a drive-up ATM. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and drive-up hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ranked among the strongest banking institutions for financial strength and stability in the U.S., First South has enjoyed an A+ Weiss Rating, over 20 years of Bauer 5-star ratings and the longest history of perfect 300 IDC Financial Publishing scores of all the financial institutions in Tennessee. The credit union is also ranked one of the Top 200 Healthiest Credit Unions in America by DepositAccounts, the largest and most comprehensive online consumer banking publication in the U.S. To learn more, visit firstsouth.com.

High school students get special deal at 2 Corky’s locations

Corky’s Ribs & BBQ will continue celebrating a welcome back to school for high school students with a special offer now until Nov. 23. They can get their famous BBQ Nachos for $1 at Corky’s Collierville and Corky’s Olive Branch locations from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays by showing their student IDs or driver’s license.

Back Yard Burgers raises more than $92K for No Kid Hungry

Tennessee-based Back Yard Burgers announced it has raised more than $92,000 for No Kid Hungry, a campaign from national non-profit Share Our Strength created to eliminate childhood hunger in America. A partner of No Kid Hungry since 2014, Back Yard Burgers has raised more than $131,000 or 1.3 million meals with 2016 being the most successful to date.

Back Yard Burgers held two Dine Out for No Kid Hungry promotions this year to meet the year-long pledge that provides access for children around the country. In addition to the fundraising efforts by its franchise partners and company restaurants, several of the brand’s vendors and partners made contributions, including Paramore The Digital Agency, Rochester Meats, Shipe Dosik, Sargento, Blue Bunny and UMI Inc.

Guests who donated $5 to No Kid Hungry received a free Chocolate, Strawberry, Vanilla, Banana or specialty milkshake at participating restaurants. Participating Back Yard Burgers restaurants raised over $38,000 during September. In the spring of 2016, the restaurant teams raised more than $53,000, bringing the total for 2016 to more than $92,000. For more information about Back Yard Burger’s community involvement and to donate, visit backyardburgers.com/community.

First Tennessee adds free access to 43,000 ATMs

First Tennessee Bank is adding surcharge-free access to more than 43,000 ATMs across the country — including 570 in Tennessee — by joining Allpoint Network, the world’s largest surcharge-free network. First Tennessee has the number one deposit market share in Tennessee and a large ATM network, even before joining Allpoint, with 359 ATMs in its markets.

“Our customers have enthusiastically embraced the digital transformation of banking, and we’re making it easier for them to bank whenever and wherever they choose, using the channels they prefer,” said Dave Miller, executive vice president of consumer banking for First Tennessee. “Allpoint allows First Tennessee customers to withdraw surcharge-free cash from ATMs at major retailers across the country. This is one more way we’re working to offer an unmatched customer experience.”

First Tennessee customers can find the nearest surcharge-free Allpoint ATM by using the free Allpoint Network ATM locator app on their smartphones and the “Find a Location” link on First Tennessee’s website at FirstTennessee.com.

Mid-South professionals announce promotions, honors

Memphis full-service marketing agency Kelley & Associates Advertising has named Senior Art Director Kim Strickland as vice president. In this role, Strickland will supervise the delivery of services to clients and the professional development of junior staff while continuing to generate leading-edge visual communications and e-solutions. The City of Bartlett is among her agency clients. Her work has earned international recognition for excellence in marketing and communications.

As a business leader and involved citizen in the Bartlett area, Allstate exclusive agency owner James Garcia has been designated an Allstate Premier Agency for 2016. The Allstate Premier Agency designation is bestowed upon 32 percent of Allstate’s nearly 10,000 agency owners across the country. The Premier Agency designation is awarded to Allstate agency owners who have demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience while achieving outstanding business results. The James Garcia Agency is at 6490 Memphis Arlington Road, Suite 110, in Bartlett and can be reached at (901) 381-4747.

Crye-Leike Real Estate Services has announced the following personnel moves, promotions or new hires:

Two years into being assigned the role of the chief strategist in addition to being Crye-Leike’s chief information officer, Gurtej Sodhi of Brentwood has been promoted to the position of chief information & operations officer for the Crye-Leike Group of Companies.

Julie Bogue of Cordova has become affiliated with the Cordova branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in Shelby County. Previously, she worked in sales as an account manager for 10 years. She specializes in residential real estate with a focus on new home construction and helping first-time homebuyers.

Katelyn “Katy” Jeffrey of Memphis has become affiliated with the Germantown branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in and around Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette counties. She specializes in residential real estate, with a focus on helping first-time homebuyers and those looking to relocate to Memphis. Jeffrey previously worked in the transportation industry as a logistics manager for three years.

Ruth D. McGruder of Germantown has become affiliated with the Quail Hollow branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in and around Shelby and Fayette counties. She specializes in all aspects of residential real estate. McGruder is a retired teacher from Shelby County Schools, where she was a high school biology teacher. During her tenure, she was named Teacher of the Year, a lifetime member of the Parent -Teacher Association and Hometown Hero for Germantown, as well as recognized among Who’s Who of American Teachers.

Michael Pyrdom of Memphis has become affiliated with the Quail Hollow branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in and around Shelby, Fayette and Tipton counties. He specializes in residential real estate, focusing on helping first-time homebuyers, seniors and empty nesters. Previously, he was the owner of Mid-South Lawn Service, a commercial landscaping business, for 32 years. He has also been a landlord for the past 15 years.

Traci Nichols of Memphis has become affiliated with the Quail Hollow branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in and around Shelby, Fayette, and Tipton counties. She specializes in residential real estate, focusing on investment properties and helping first-time homebuyers, while also assisting those looking to purchase condominiums and townhomes. She brings to Crye-Leike over 20 years of experience as a certified appraiser in the real estate appraisal industry. She previously worked for CoreLogic Valuation Solutions as a staff appraiser.

Arian Davis of Memphis has become affiliated with the Quail Hollow branch office as a Realtor and affiliate broker, serving the real estate needs of buyers and sellers in and around Shelby County. She specializes in residential real estate, focusing on investment properties and helping first-time homebuyers. She brings to Crye-Leike over 10 years of real estate experience, previously with WI Memphis LLC.